Canada continues to strengthen its immigration pathways as the province of New Brunswick conducted multiple immigration draws between April 30 and May 3, 2026. Through the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), the province issued a total of 373 invitations to skilled workers, international graduates and foreign nationals seeking Canadian permanent residency.
The latest immigration rounds targeted candidates across healthcare, construction, manufacturing, transportation, education and francophone communities, highlighting New Brunswick’s continued focus on addressing labour shortages and attracting skilled talent to support economic growth.
These latest draws are especially important because New Brunswick has announced major upcoming restrictions under the New Brunswick Experience pathway, making this one of the final opportunities for candidates from all occupational sectors to receive invitations before new limitations come into effect.
New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream Issued Largest Number of Invitations
The majority of invitations in the recent selection rounds were issued through the New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream. A total of 200 invitations were distributed under two major pathways:
- New Brunswick Experience pathway
- New Brunswick Graduates pathway
The province conducted two separate draws during this period.
Healthcare-Focused Draw Conducted on May 1
On May 1, 2026, New Brunswick invited 87 candidates working in healthcare occupations. Healthcare continues to remain one of the most in-demand sectors across Canada as provinces struggle to meet increasing labour demands in hospitals, long-term care facilities and community health services.
The healthcare-focused draw reflects New Brunswick’s strategy to prioritize essential occupations that directly support the province’s growing population and healthcare infrastructure.
May 3 Draw Opened for All Occupational Sectors
A second draw held on May 3, 2026 invited 113 candidates from all occupational categories. This draw became particularly significant because it marked the final general-category invitation round before New Brunswick introduced restrictions on eligible occupations under the Experience pathway.
Starting May 4, 2026, the province officially limited invitations under the New Brunswick Experience pathway to only three occupational categories:
- Healthcare
- Education
- Construction trades
According to provincial authorities, the temporary restriction was implemented because of limited nomination allocation spaces available for 2026. The province confirmed that the new restrictions will remain in effect “until further notice.”
This development may impact many foreign workers currently employed in New Brunswick who were planning to apply for permanent residency through the provincial program.
What is the New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream?
The New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream is designed for foreign nationals who currently work in the province or have a valid job offer from an eligible New Brunswick employer.
The stream helps employers address labour shortages while providing international workers with a pathway toward Canadian permanent residence.
Eligible applicants generally need to:
- Have a full-time job offer from an eligible employer
- Work in a non-seasonal occupation
- Meet language requirements
- Demonstrate relevant work experience
- Show intention to live and work permanently in New Brunswick
The program remains one of the most attractive provincial immigration pathways for skilled workers seeking long-term settlement opportunities in Atlantic Canada.
New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream Invited Francophone Candidates
In addition to skilled worker draws, New Brunswick also invited 106 candidates through the Strategic Initiative Stream.
The invitations were issued under two categories:
- Francophone Workers in New Brunswick
- New Brunswick Francophone Priorities
The province did not provide an exact breakdown of invitations between both pathways.
This stream is specifically designed to attract French-speaking foreign nationals who can contribute to the province’s francophone communities and labour market needs.
New Brunswick continues to prioritize bilingual immigration as part of its broader economic and cultural development strategy. Francophone immigration remains a key component of Canada’s overall immigration goals, particularly in Atlantic provinces seeking population growth.
New Brunswick Express Entry Stream Issued Additional Invitations
The province also conducted a draw under the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream, issuing 17 invitations to eligible candidates.
The stream is aligned with Canada’s federal Express Entry system and allows New Brunswick to nominate skilled workers who meet provincial labour market demands.
Candidates applying through the Employment in New Brunswick pathway generally must:
- Have an active Express Entry profile
- Live in New Brunswick for at least 12 months
- Hold full-time employment with a New Brunswick employer
- Work in a skilled and non-seasonal occupation
- Possess at least one year of eligible work experience in the province
One of the biggest advantages of receiving a provincial nomination through this stream is the additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points awarded to candidates.
These additional points significantly increase the likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry.
Atlantic Immigration Program Draw Focused on Key Labour Sectors
On May 1, 2026, New Brunswick also issued 50 invitations through the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
The latest AIP draw targeted candidates employed in:
- Transportation
- Manufacturing
- Construction trades
The Atlantic Immigration Program is an employer-driven immigration pathway designed to help Atlantic Canadian employers recruit international workers and international graduates.
The program operates across four Atlantic provinces:
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
- Newfoundland and Labrador
Eligibility Requirements for the Atlantic Immigration Program
To qualify under the AIP, applicants generally must:
- Receive a valid job offer from a designated employer
- Meet minimum language requirements
- Demonstrate relevant work experience
- Meet educational requirements based on occupation
- Obtain provincial endorsement
The program is especially beneficial for foreign nationals outside Canada who may not yet have Canadian work experience.
Applicants may also qualify for a temporary two-year work permit while their permanent residence application is being processed.
However, current federal processing times for the Atlantic Immigration Program are estimated at approximately 40 months, making early application planning extremely important for prospective immigrants.
New Brunswick Immigration Continues to Attract Skilled Workers
The latest immigration draws demonstrate New Brunswick’s continued commitment to attracting skilled foreign workers, francophone talent, healthcare professionals and construction workers to support economic development and population growth.
As Canada continues to face labour shortages across multiple industries, provincial immigration programs like the NBPNP and Atlantic Immigration Program remain essential pathways for international workers seeking Canadian permanent residency.
For many applicants, securing a provincial nomination through New Brunswick can provide a faster and more reliable route toward settling permanently in Canada.
